The Engagement of Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Sofia Hellqvist took place on Friday, June 27 2014 at Drottningholm Palace. The couple had been dating since 2010 and in the months leading up to the engagement Carl Philip had taken Sofia to several important events triggering rumors that an engagement was just around the corner.

Sofia Hellqvist who was born in Täby, Sweden, is a former glamor model turned yoga teacher. The daughter of a local Swedish politician, Sofia is well educated and once worked as a waitress. Likewise, she also participated in the reality TV series, Paradise Hotel — a past that didn’t exactly go hand in hand with being royal. In recent years though, she has cleaned up her act and now runs a charity organization and is involved in aid work.

Announcement

Carl Philip and Sofia arrived at Drottningholm Palace walking hand-in-hand as they headed to a press conference in the Palace's gardens where they shared their first public kiss.

"I have the incredible honor of being engaged to this fantastic girl," an excited Carl Philip told the waiting journalists, while Sofia added "Carl Philip is the most humble person I have ever met, which is what made me fall for him in the beginning. He has one of the most beautiful hearts, he is very warm."

According to Sofia, Carl Philip had surprised her with the proposal just before she was about to leave for work on Friday morning.

"The proposal was a fantastic surprise," Sofia said, and her initial response was apparently: "oh wow!"

"I expected a totally normal day at work. I was amazed and a little bit shocked," she added.

The couple were then joined on the lawn by Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI, who spoke of his joy at his son's engagement.

A statement announcing the news was also released on the Swedish Royal Family's official website.

"The Marshal of the Realm is delighted to announce the engagement between Prince Carl Philip and Miss Sofia Hellqvist," read the announcement.